Refrigerator having drawer

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator may include a cabinet, and a drawer provided with a front panel and a storage bin provided at a rear of the front panel, the front panel being provided so that the open front portion of the storage chamber is opened and closed, and the storage bin being received in a storage chamber. The refrigerator may also include a deodorizing case including an upper end part provided on an inner surface of the storage bin, and a lower end part provided on an outer surface of the storage bin. Additionally, a deodorizing member provided in an inner part of the deodorizing case to remove an odor of the storage chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2019-0084447, filed Jul. 12, 2019 in Korea, the entire contents ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator having a drawer. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to a refrigerator having adrawer, wherein a deodorizing member is installed in a storage bin ofthe drawer to remove an odor of the storage bin.

2. Background

A refrigerator may be composed of a compressor, a condenser, anexpansion valve, and an evaporator, etc., and may discharge cool airgenerated by a refrigeration cycle to lower temperature of an inner partof the refrigerator so as to freeze or refrigerate food.

The refrigerator may include a freezer compartment in which a food orbeverage is frozen to be stored, and a refrigerating compartment inwhich the food or beverage is stored at low temperature. A kimchirefrigerator is a type of refrigerator in which food or vegetables suchas kimchi are stored while maintaining freshness thereof.

The refrigerator may be classified into various types depending on adoor opening and closing method of a storage chamber in a cabinet, suchas a swinging door-type refrigerator, a drawer-type refrigerator, and ahybrid-type refrigerator having both doors and drawers. The hybrid-typerefrigerator has a structure in which a swinging door is provided in anupper portion of the cabinet and a drawer is provided in a lower portionthereof.

The drawer provided in the drawer refrigerator or the hybrid-typerefrigerator may open, by a user's operation, from an inside space ofthe cabinet in a sliding manner. The drawer may close by being pushed,by a user's operation, into the inside space of the cabinet, therebyallowing an open front portion of the cabinet to be closed.

The drawer may include a front panel and a storage bin (or storage bin),the front panel forming a front surface of the refrigerator and beingpulled out/pushed in, thereby allowing the inside space of the cabinetto be opened/closed and the storage bin being provided in rear of thefront panel and received in the inside space of the cabinet. By pullingthe front panel, the storage bin may open from the inside space of thecabinet, thus various foods can be stored in and taken out from thestorage bin.

The drawer provided in the drawer refrigerator or the hybrid-typerefrigerator is mainly provided in the lower portion of the cabinet.This is because, due to weight of storage items stored in the storagebin of the drawer, the drawer may be removed from the cabinet and falldown when the drawer is opened.

However, when the drawer is provided in the lower portion of thecabinet, the user may bend over at the waist while keeping away from thefront panel by an appropriate distance for opening of the drawer.

A deodorizer may be provided in the storage space of the refrigerator.The deodorizer may be attached to a wall surface of a door or thestorage bin to remove odor of an inner part of the storage space byadsorbing odor molecules of the inner part of the storage space.

A deodorizer installation structure of a refrigerator is disclosed inKorean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2009-0114265 and KoreanPatent Application Publication No. 10-2009-0027111, the subject mattersof which are incorporated herein by reference.

The deodorizer installation structure may include a deodorizing unit anda deodorizing case allowing the deodorizer to be installed in the door,storage space, or storage bin of a refrigerator, wherein the deodorizeris mounted in the deodorizing case by being received thereinto.

The deodorizer installation structure may be designed to allow thedeodorizing unit and the deodorizing case to be mounted in the door, thestorage space, or the storage bin in a complicated assembly structure.Accordingly, as a number of parts to be introduced increases, it maytake a relatively long time to separate and join the parts.

The deodorizing unit and the deodorizing case, to which the deodorizeris fixed, may protrude from a wall surface of the door or the storagespace. Accordingly, the deodorizing unit and the deodorizing case mayoccupy the storage bin in which the food or the stored items are housed,and thus space utilization of the storage space decreases.

As the installation position of the deodorizer is restricted to theinner part of one storage chamber, cool air from which odor is notcompletely removed is circulated to other storage chambers. Accordingly,the odor may be diffused to the other storage chambers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Arrangements and embodiments may be described in detail with referenceto the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator having a draweraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating the refrigerator having a draweraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the refrigerator having a draweraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a state view of a part roughly illustrating an opened state ofthe drawer of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a state view of a part roughly illustrating a state of acontainer moving upward in the opened state of the drawer of therefrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a state of a cable guide moduleconnected to the drawer of the refrigerator according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the cable guidemodule of the refrigerator having a drawer according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the cable guidemodule of the refrigerator having a drawer according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the cableguide module of the refrigerator having a drawer according to anembodiment of the present disclosure is installed in a storage chamberof the refrigerator;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view, from a rear side of the drawer,illustrating a state in which the cable guide module of the refrigeratorhaving a drawer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure isconnected to the drawer;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view illustrating installation states of rack gearassemblies of the refrigerator having a drawer according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the installation state ofeach of the rack gear assemblies of the refrigerator having a draweraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure from a lowerportion thereof;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state of a rackgear assembly of the refrigerator having a drawer according to anembodiment of the present disclosure from an upper portion thereof;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of an “A” portion of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state of the rackgear assembly of the refrigerator having a drawer according to anembodiment of the present disclosure from the lower portion thereof;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a “B” portion of FIG. 15 illustrating anidle gear of the refrigerator having a drawer according to theembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a “C” portion of FIG. 15 illustrating aconfining module of the refrigerator having a drawer according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating an upside-down state of alower surface structure of the rack gear assembly of the refrigeratorhaving a drawer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of a “D” portion of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a bottom view illustrating the lower surface structure of therack gear assembly of the refrigerator having a drawer according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of an “E” portion of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of an “F” portion of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a part illustrating an installationstate of the idle gear of the refrigerator having a drawer according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a part illustrating a state in which acover body is combined with the idle gear of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a side view of a part illustrating the installation state ofthe idle gear of the refrigerator having a drawer according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a confiningprotrusion part of the refrigerator having a drawer according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 27, 29, 31, and 33 are operation state views illustratingoperation states of the rack gear assembly in a process of opening astorage bin defined in the drawer of the refrigerator according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of a “G” portion of FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged view of an “H” portion of FIG. 27;

FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of an “I” portion of FIG. 27;

FIG. 34 is an outlined state view illustrating a state of positioncompensation by the idle gear during closing of the drawer of therefrigerator having a drawer according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 35 is a front exploded perspective view of a storage bin accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 36 is a rear exploded perspective view illustrating configurationof a storage bin according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 37 is a sectional view illustrating configuration of a storage binaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 38 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an upper end partof a deodorizing case according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 39 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a state of adeodorizing member mounted to the upper end part of the deodorizing caseaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a lower end part ofthe deodorizing case according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 41 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a state in whichthe deodorizing member is mounted in an inner part of the lower end partof the deodorizing case according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 42 is a sectional view illustrating configuration of thedeodorizing case according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 43 is a sectional view of a state in which the deodorizing memberis mounted in the deodorizing case according to an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 44 is a sectional view illustrating cool air circulation course ofcool air circulating flow path according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator having a drawer of the presentdisclosure may be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 34.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the refrigerator having adrawer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is afront view illustrating the refrigerator having a drawer according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a side view illustratingthe refrigerator having a drawer according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

As shown in the drawings, a refrigerator (having a drawer) according toan embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 100, adrawer 200, a driving part 400 (or driving device), and rack gearassemblies 601 and 602. At least one rack gear assembly of the rack gearassemblies 601 and 602 includes an idle gear 630 (See FIG. 12), in whichgear teeth of a pinion 410 constituting the driving part are engagedwith and which allows the pinion 410 to run idly.

The cabinet 100 may constitute an outer appearance of the refrigerator.

The cabinet 100 may include a roof 110 constituting an upper wall, abottom 120 constituting a lower wall, opposite side walls 130constituting opposite side walls, and a rear wall 140 constituting arear wall thereof, and the cabinet may be configured as a box body,which is open forward. An inner space of the cabinet 100 may be providedas a storage space of the refrigerator.

A plurality of partition walls 150 may be provided in the cabinet 100.The partition walls 150 may partition the storage space of an inner partof the cabinet 100 into a plurality of spaces. Accordingly, the storagespace may include a plurality of storage chambers 1, 2, and 3, which arepartitioned vertically.

The partition walls 150 may partition the storage space in the cabinet100 from left to right.

According to the refrigerator according to an example embodiment, thestorage space of the refrigerator may be vertically divided into threechambers, and an upper storage chamber 1 may be a refrigeratingcompartment, and a center storage chamber 2 and a lower storage chamber3 may be the refrigerating compartment, a freezer compartment, or as anindependent space.

Each storage chamber 1, 2, and 3 of the cabinet 100 is provided to beopened and closed by each door thereof. The upper storage chamber 1 isopened and closed by a swinging door 4, and the center storage chamber 2and the lower storage chamber 3 are opened and closed by the drawer 200.The center storage chamber 2 may be configured to be opened and closedby the swinging door 4.

The swinging door 4 may be hingedly combined with the cabinet 100 toopen or close the upper storage chamber 1.

A display part 5 (or display) may be provided on a front surface of theswinging door 4 to output information. The display part 5 may displayvarious information such as an operation state of the refrigerator ortemperature of each storage chamber 1, 2, and 3, and the like.

The display part 5 may include various components such as a liquidcrystal display or an LED.

The drawer 200 may have a structure opening or closing by sliding. Inthe following embodiments, the drawer 200 may be provided in the lowerstorage chamber 3.

The drawer 200 may include a front panel 210 and a storage bin 220 (orstorage room).

The front panel 210 is a part closing an open front of the lower storagechamber 3 and has an installation space therein.

The front panel 210 may have an upper surface, opposite side surfaces, afront surface, and a lower surface by bending a thin metal plate, andmay include an inner frame of a resin material provided therein toreduce weight and improve productivity. The front panel 210 may be madeof a material which may approximate the feel of metal.

The storage bin 220 is provided at a rear of the front panel 210 and isreceived in the lower storage chamber 3.

The storage bin 220 may be a box body, which is opened upwardly, and afront surface of the storage bin 220 is provided to be combined with andfixed to a rear surface of the front panel 210 while the front surfaceof the storage bin 220 is in close contact with the rear surface of thefront panel 210. The storage bin 220 may be variously combined with thefront panel 210 by hooking, bolting, screwing, engaging or fitting.

Guide rails 230 may be provided on each of opposite outer surfaces ofthe storage bin 220 and each of opposite wall surfaces of the inner partof the lower storage chamber 3 opposed thereto such that the guide rails230 are engaged with each other and support stable forward and backwardmovements of the storage bin 220 (see FIG. 3).

Each of the guide rails 230 may be provided on each of a lower surfaceof the storage bin 220 and a bottom surface of the inner part of thelower storage chamber 3 opposed thereto such that the guide rails 230are engaged with each other. The guide rail 230 may be configured toextend in multiple steps.

A container 240 may be provided in the storage bin 220. That is,although various kinds of food may be stored in the storage bin 220, thecontainer 240 may be received into the storage bin 220 such that variouskinds of food are stored in the container 240. The container 240 may be,for example, a kimchi container, or a container having an open upperpart.

When the storage bin 220 is opened from the lower storage chamber 3, thecontainer 240 may move upward in the storage bin 220.

That is, a sufficient gap is required for a user's finger to enter a gapbetween the storage bin 220 and the container 240 such that the user canlift the container 240 received in the storage bin 220. Accordingly, asize of the container 240 is bound to decrease by the gap. Accordingly,to maximize the size of the container 240, the container 240 may beallowed to be automatically removed from the storage bin 220. When thecontainer 240 is automatically removed from the storage bin 220,withdrawal of the container 240 by the user is not required.

The storage bin 220 may include a lift module 300 (see FIGS. 4 and 5)for automatically raising and lowering the container 240.

The lift module 300 may be implemented in various forms. For example,the lift module 300 may be configured to have a scissor-type linkstructure, wherein when the lift module 300 is folded, height thereof isminimized and when the lift module 300 is spread (or unfolded), theheight thereof is maximized.

Electric components 310 (for example, a driving motor), which provide adriving force for lifting and lowering the lift module 300, may beprovided in the installation space inside the front panel 210.

When the lift module 300 operates before the storage bin 220 of thedrawer 200 is completely opened, the container 240 or the cabinet 100may be damaged. Accordingly, a control program may be programmed tocontrol operation of the lift module 300 so as operate only when thestorage bin 220 is completely opened.

The driving part 400 according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure may be described (see FIGS. 3 to 5).

The driving part 400 may provide the driving force to allow the drawer200 to automatically move forward and backward.

The driving part 400 is provided at the bottom 120 of the cabinet 100and may include the pinion 410 and the driving motor 420.

A portion of the pinion 410 may be exposed to the inner part of thelower storage chamber 3 by being upward formed through a bottom surface(an upper surface of the bottom) of the lower storage chamber 3 (seeFIG. 9), and the driving motor 420 is fixed to the bottom 120 of thecabinet 100 so as to transmit power to the pinion 410.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pinion 410 may bepositioned on each of opposite sides of the bottom surface of the innerpart of the lower storage chamber 3. Each of the opposite pinions may beconfigured to be connected to a power transmission shaft 411. Thedriving motor 420 may be connected to the power transmission shaft 411by a belt, a chain, or a gear to transmit power thereto.

Each of the opposite pinions 410 may be simultaneously rotated at thesame speed and in the same direction by driving of the driving motor420.

A reduction gear may be provided at a connection portion of the powertransmission shaft 411 with the driving motor 420.

Each of the opposite pinions 410 may be preferably positioned at a frontside of a bottom surface of the lower storage chamber 3. This may allowthe drawer 200 to be maximally opened.

The driving motor 420 may operate by detecting proximity of a user or bymanipulation of a button 6 by the user.

The button 6 may be a touch-type button provided on the display part 5of the swinging door 4. The button 6 may be a press button provided at aposition separate from the display part 5.

A cable guide module 500 may be connected to the bottom surface (theupper surface of the bottom) of the inner part of the lower storagechamber 3 and the front panel 210 (see FIG. 6).

The cable guide module 500 may be configured to protect power lines orcables (hereinafter referred to as cable) connected to electricalcomponents in the front panel 210 among various kinds of power lines orcables connected along an inner part of the bottom 120.

The cable guide module 500 may be configured to prevent the cable frombeing damaged by being twisted or scratched during forward or backwardmovement of the drawer 200.

The cable guide module 500 may include a cover plate 510, a guiding head520, multiple connecting members 530, a swinging connection member 540(or swinging connection base) and a mounting plate 550. This may beshown in FIGS. 7 to 10.

The cable guide module 500 may be described in greater detail by eachconfiguration thereof hereinbelow.

The cover plate 510 (of the cable guide module 500) may be combined withthe upper surface of the bottom 120.

A front portion of the upper surface of the bottom 120 may be configuredto be open, and the cover plate 510 is combined with the bottom 120 soas to cover the open portion of the bottom 120.

A pinion exposure hole 511 may be provided on each of opposite sides ofthe cover plate 510 by being formed therethrough such that the pinion410 (constituting the driving part 400) is exposed to the inner part ofthe lower storage chamber 3 (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

A motor receiving part 512 (See FIG. 7), into which the driving motor420 (constituting the driving part 400) is received, is provided on thecover plate 510. The motor receiving part 512 may protrude upward from aportion of the cover plate 510 or may be provided by being combined withthe cover plate 510 after being manufactured independently of the coverplate 510. The motor receiving part 512 may also be formed in othershapes or methods.

A protrusion passing hole 513 may be provided on a rear of each ofopposite sides of the cover plate 510 by being formed therethrough so asto install a confining protrusion part 650 therein. The confiningprotrusion part 650 may be positioned so that an upper end thereof isexposed to the inner part of the lower storage chamber 3 while theconfining protrusion part 650 is received in the protrusion passing hole513. The confining protrusion part 650 may be described below in a laterdescription of the rack gear assemblies 601 and 602.

An open/close sensing part 514 (or sensing device) may be provided oneach of the bottom surface of the inner part of the storage chamber anda lower surface of the drawer opposite thereto so as to detect closingand opening of the drawer 200 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). That is, part of theopen/close sensing part 514 may allow accurately detecting whether thedrawer 200 is completely closed or partially opened.

The open/close sensing part 514 may include an open/close sensor 514 aand an open/close sensing member 514 b. The open/close sensor 514 a maybe a Hall sensor, and the open/close sensing member 514 b may be amagnet that can be sensed by the Hall sensor. The open/close sensingpart 514 may be composed of various structures such as optical sensorsand switches.

The open/close sensor 514 a (of the open/close sensing part 514) may beprovided on the bottom surface of the inner part of the lower storagechamber 3, and the open/close sensing member 514 b may be provided onthe lower surface of the storage bin 220 (constituting the drawer 200).The open/close sensing member 514 b may be provided on the bottomsurface of the inner part of the lower storage chamber 3 and theopen/close sensor 514 a may be provided on the lower surface of thestorage bin 220. The open/close sensor 514 a may be provided on a wallsurface of any one side in the lower storage chamber 3 and theopen/close sensing member 514 b may be provided on a wall surface facingthe storage bin 220.

The open/close sensor 514 a may be provided on the cover plate 510positioned on the bottom surface of the inner part of the lower storagechamber 3. Accordingly, maintenance of the open/close sensor 514 a canbe performed by separation of the cover plate 510 therefrom.

An additional open/close sensing member 514 c may be provided on a lowersurface end of the rack gear assembly 600. Accordingly, when the rackgear assembly 600 is completely extended, the open/close sensing member514 c may be configured to detect complete extension of the rack gearassembly 600 and recognize a complete opening of the drawer 200

The open/close sensing part 514 may be configured to influence anoperation control of the driving part 400 described above.

When the open/close sensing part 514 detects closing of the drawer 200,the driving motor 420 (constituting the driving part 400) is configuredto operate for a predetermined time or by a predetermined number ofrotations thereof from a detection time of the closing of the drawer,and then to release the operation thereof.

The driving motor 420 is programmed to operate by at least one pitch ofa rack gear 611 provided in a first rack member 610 from the time atwhich the closing of the drawer 200 is detected by the open/closesensing part 514 and then to release the operation thereof.

This may be because when any one side of the drawer 200 reaches aclosing position earlier than the remaining side thereof while a leftside and a right side of the drawer 200 do not move exactly in parallelbut move obliquely, the open/close sensor 514 a of the open/closesensing part 514 may determine that the drawer 200 is closed althoughthe remaining side is not closed.

That is, although any one side of the drawer 200 is closed earlier thanthe remaining side, the remaining side is allowed to additionally moveby a distance of at least one pitch of the rack gear 611 from the pointat which the one side is closed, so that opposite sides of the drawer200 can be closed.

The pinion 410 may be allowed to additionally rotate only twice or less,and more preferably the pinion 410 may be allowed to rotate only once.This may prevent damage of the pinion 410 or the rack gear 611 which mayoccur when the pinion 410 rotates more than the number of rotationsrequired thereof.

The pinion 410 or the rack gear 611 may be damaged even when the pinion410 additionally rotates once or twice.

In consideration that a packing member may be provided on a contactsurface of the drawer 200 with the cabinet 100, although the pinion 410additionally rotates by a buffer distance of the packing member, thepinion 410 or the rack gear 611 is not damaged. While the operationrelease of the driving motor 420 driving the pinion 410 is performed,the pinion 410 is rotated reversely by the additional rotation thereofby a buffer capacity of the packing member and the opposite sides of thedrawer 200 are accurately closed without having gears damaged since amoving force thereof is released by the additional rotation.

The guiding head 520 of the cable guide module 500 is a part that iscombined with the front panel 210.

An installation hole 212 is provided at a center lower portion of a rearsurface of the front panel 210 (see FIG. 10), and the guiding head 520is configured to pass through a portion of the installation hole 212 andto be combined with the rear surface of the front panel 210.

A cable housing may include a plurality of connecting members. Each ofthe connecting members 530 of the cable guide module 500 is a partflexibly connecting the swinging connection member 540 with the guidinghead 520.

Each of the connecting members 530 may be configured as a tube bodyhaving an empty inner part and be continuously connected to each othersuch that a cable sequentially passes through an inner part of each ofthe connecting members 530. The above-described connection structure maybe a chain-type connection structure.

A connection portion between each of the connecting members 530 isconfigured to be rotatable in a horizontal direction, wherein theconnecting member 530 of any one end of each of the connecting members530 is rotatably connected to the swinging connection member 540 and theconnecting member 530 of the remaining end is rotatably connected to theguiding head 520. When the drawer 200 moves forward or backward, theconnecting members 530 move the cable together therewith by operating incooperation with each other due to such a structure.

The swinging connection member 540 (of the cable guide module 500) is apart rotatably connected to the cover plate 510.

A cable through hole 515 may be provided at the cover plate 510 to allowthe cable to pass therethrough, and the swinging connection member 540may have a pipe structure, wherein an end of the swinging connectionmember 540 is configured to be in close contact with an upper surface ofthe cover plate 510. An extension end 541 of a dome structure isprovided at an end portion of the swinging connection member 540, andthe extension end may gradually extend toward the end thereof.

An extension hole 516 may be provided on any one circumference of thecable through hole 515 by extending therefrom, and a confiningprotrusion 542 may be provided on a circumference of the extension end541 (constituting the swinging connection member 540) by protrudingoutward from the circumference of the extension end 541 to pass throughthe extension hole 516.

The extension hole 516 may have a width to only allow the confiningprotrusion 542 to pass therethrough. That is, after the confiningprotrusion 542 passes through the extension hole 516, the swingingconnection member 540 is slightly rotated to maintain a state of beingprevented from being removed from the cable through hole 515 of thecover plate 510.

The mounting plate 550 (of the cable guide module 500) is a partprovided to prevent deviation of the swinging connection member 540connected to the cover plate 510.

The mounting plate 550 may be combined with and fixed to the cover plate510, and a communicating hole 551 is provided at a portion correspondingto the cable through hole 515, and a covering end 552 is provided on acircumference of the communicating hole 551 by protruding therefrom tocover the extension end 541 of the swinging connection member 540. Aninner surface of the covering end 552 is configured to have the samecurved surface (a spherical surface) as an outer surface of theextension end 541 so as to be in close contact therewith.

The rack gear assemblies 601 and 602 of the refrigerator may now bedescribed.

Each of the rack gear assemblies 601 and 602 is a device operating toallow the drawer 200 to automatically move forward and backward by adriving force of the driving part 400 provided in the cabinet 100.

Each of the rack gear assemblies 601 and 602 is provided on oppositesides of the lower surface of the storage bin 220 constituting thedrawer 200. The rack gear assemblies 601 and 602 have the rack gears 611and 621 provided on lower surfaces thereof such that the pinion 410exposed to the inner part of the lower storage chamber 3 is engaged witheach of the rack gears 611 and 621.

The rack gears 611 and 621 (of the rack gear assemblies 601 and 602) areconfigured from a front side of the lower surface of the storage bin 220to a rear side thereof. Accordingly, the drawer 200 provided with therack gear assemblies 601 and 602 can be moved away from or moved closeto the lower storage chamber 3 while the drawer 200 is moved forward andrearward by a rotating movement of the pinion 410.

The pinion 410 and the rack gear assemblies 601 and 602 may be providedso that at least three thereof are paired with each other.

As a distance of the drawer 200, which is automatically opened,increases, convenience of use may improve.

That is, as the storage bin 220 is maximally moved away from the lowerstorage chamber 3 by the drawer 200, it may become easy to house thecontainer 240 in the storage bin 220 or to store items or food in thestorage bin.

Further, since the container 240 may be automatically raised by the liftmodule 300 when the drawer 200 is opened, the storage bin 220 maymaximally move away from the lower storage chamber 3.

Each of the opposite pinions 410 is preferably located at a frontportion of the lower storage chamber 3, and each of the rack gears 611and 621 is preferably configured to be maximally extended.

As each of the opposite pinions 410 is located close to a front end ofthe lower storage chamber 3 and the rack gears 611 and 621 extend, anopening distance of the storage bin 220 may increase.

However, in consideration that the bottom surface of the storage bin 220is configured to be shorter in length from front to rear than an openupper surface of the storage bin 220, there may be a limitation inextending the rack gears 611 and 621.

Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, therack gear assemblies 601 and 602 are configured to extend such that theopening distance of the storage bin 220 increases.

That is, although a length between the front and rear of the storage bin220 is short, the rack gear assemblies 601 and 602 extend such that thestorage bin 220 is opened farther.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there are provided the firstrack member 610 and the second rack member 620, a first rack cover 614and a second rack cover 624, the idle gear 630, the confining protrusionpart 650, and the confining module 670 moved forward sequentially whilethe rack gear assemblies 601 and 602 move forward.

The rack gear assemblies 601 and 602 may be described below in detail byeach configuration.

The first rack member 610 is configured to allow the storage bin 220 tobe moved forward and backward by rotation of the pinion 410, wherein thefirst rack member 610 includes the rack gear 611.

The first rack member 610 is configured to be fixed to the storage bin220 while an upper surface of the first rack member 610 is in closecontact with a lower surface of the storage bin 220. A plurality ofcoupling holes 612 are provided in the first rack member 610 such thatthe first rack member 610 is screwed (or attached) to the storage bin220.

The first rack member 610 may include a movement guiding groove 613provided in the lower surface thereof by being recessed therefrom, themovement guiding groove supporting a sliding movement of the second rackmember 620 while the second rack member 620 is received in the movementguiding groove 613.

The movement guiding groove 613 is configured to be recessed from afront end portion of the first rack member 610 and to be formed througha rear surface of the first rack member 610. The second rack member 620received in the movement guiding groove 613 may be exposed to the rearof the movement guiding groove 613.

The rack gear 611 of the first rack member 610 is provided at any oneside of the movement guiding groove 613 (an opposing direction side ofeach of the opposite rack gear assemblies) in a longitudinal directionof the first rack member 610.

The rack gear 611 is formed to a portion located at a further front sidecompared to the movement guiding groove 613.

The first rack member 610 is provided with the first rack cover 614.

An inner portion of the movement guiding groove 613 provided in thefirst rack member 610 is configured to be open upward and downward.Accordingly, the movement guiding groove 613 is configured to allow aholder 672 and a locking member 673 of the confining module 670 to passtherethrough. The first rack cover 614 may be combined with the firstrack member 610 to cover the upper surface of the first rack member 610,wherein a lower surface of the first rack cover 614 is configured tocover the open portion of the movement guiding groove 613 provided inthe first rack member 610 and to constitute an upper surface of themovement guiding groove 613.

The first rack cover 614 may be a metal plate so as to reinforce aninsufficient rigidity of the first rack member 610.

A lower surface (an upper surface of an inner part of the movementguiding groove) of the first rack cover 614 may include receivinggrooves 614 a and 614 b provided thereon, wherein the holder 672 and thelocking member 673 of the confining module 670 are received into thereceiving grooves 614 a and 614 b, respectively.

The receiving grooves 614 a and 614 b may include a first receivinggroove 614 a for receiving the holder 672 and a second receiving groove614 b for receiving the locking member 673. The two receiving grooves614 a and 614 b are configured to be spaced apart from each other alonga moving direction of the first rack member 610. A distance definedbetween a rear surface of the first receiving groove 614 a and a rearsurface of the second receiving groove 614 b is still longer than adistance defined between a rear surface of the holder 672 and a rearsurface of the locking member 673.

That is, after the holder 672 is received into the first receivinggroove 614 a, and the locking member 673 is received into the secondreceiving groove 614 b.

Unlike the aforementioned embodiment, the first rack cover 614 and thefirst rack member 610 may be provided as a single body by injectionmolding.

When the first rack member 610 and the first rack cover 614 are formedas the single body, injection molding, which may be difficult to beperformed, may be required. That is, since a recessed shape or directionof each portion of the first rack member 610 and the first rack cover614 may be different, injection molding may be actually avoided.

Accordingly, the first rack member 610 and the first rack cover 614 maybe manufactured independently of each other and then may be combinedwith each other.

The second rack member 620 is a part to move the storage bin 220 forwardand backward in cooperation with the first rack member 610.

When the first rack member 610 moves forward by a predetermined distancewhile the second rack member 620 is positioned to be received into themovement guiding groove 613 of the first rack member 610, the secondrack member 620 is moved forward by being pulled by the first rackmember 610 and receives a rotational force of the pinion 410.Subsequently, the second rack member 620 is moved forward by therotational force of the pinion 410. Accordingly, although the rack gear611 of the first rack member 610 moves away from the pinion 410, thefirst rack member 610 is further extended.

The first rack member 610 is configured to pull and move the second rackmember 620 in cooperation with a linkage part 680.

The linkage part 680 may include a linkage protrusion 681 provided on alower surface (the upper surface of the inner part of the movementguiding groove) of the first rack cover 614 and a linkage step 682provided on an upper surface of the second rack member 620. When thefirst rack member 610 moves forward by a predetermined distance, thelinkage protrusion 681 and the linkage step 682 may collide with eachother and move the second rack member 620 forward.

The linkage protrusion 681 may be provided in the first rack member 610.Additionally, the linkage protrusion 681 may be provided on the uppersurface of the second rack member 620, and the linkage step 682 may beprovided on a lower surface of the first rack member 610.

Furthermore, while the second rack member 620 is completely receivedinto the movement guiding groove 613 of the first rack member 610, adistance defined between the linkage step 682 and the linkage protrusion681 is a distance set such that the first rack member 610 moves forwardwithout influencing the second rack member 620, and the set distance ispreferably determined in consideration of a size of the storage bin 220or the entire opening distance of the storage bin 220.

The rack gear 621 is provided in the second rack member 620. The rackgear 621 is provided to be positioned in parallel with the rack gear 611of the first rack member 610 at a side portion thereof, wherein a frontend of the rack gear 621 is provided to be positioned at a rear sidecompared to a front end of the rack gear 611 of the first rack member610, and a rear end of the rack gear 621 is configured to extend to afurther rear side compared to a rear end of the rack gear 611 of thefirst rack member 610.

The rack gears 611 and 621 of the first rack member 610 and the secondrack member 620 are configured to efficiently receive the driving forcegenerated by the pinion 410. That is, the pinion 410 is configured tohave a width of a size of the rack gear 611 of the first rack member 610and the rack gear 621 of the second rack member 620 overlapped togethersuch that each of the rack gears 611 and 621 accurately receives thedriving force caused by the pinion 410.

A motion groove 622 may be recessed in a lower surface of a front end ofthe second rack member 620. The motion groove 622 may provide a movingspace allowing a stopper member 671 of the confining module 670 to moveforward and backward while the stopper member 671 is mounted in themotion groove 622 by being received thereinto.

A plurality of through holes 622 a and 622 b may be provided in themotion groove 622 by being formed through an upper part thereof. Thethrough holes 622 a and 622 b may include a first through hole 622 athrough which the holder 672 of the confining module 670 passes and asecond through hole 622 b, through which the locking member 673 passes.

The second through hole 622 b may be a longitudinal hole in forward andbackward directions such that the locking member 673 moves forward andbackward.

The second rack cover 624 is provided on a lower surface of the secondrack member 620. That is, the second rack cover 624 may cover the lowersurface of the second rack member 620.

The second rack cover 624 may prevent the stopper member 671 mounted tothe motion groove 622 of the second rack member 620 from deviating tothe outside.

The second rack cover 624 may be made of a metal plate and is providedto cover the lower surface of the second rack member 620. Accordingly,the second rack member 620 can be prevented from being deformed (e.g.twisting or bending). A partial open portion may exist in the secondrack cover 624 to reduce weight thereof.

A folded end 624 a is configured to be folded on each of opposite sidesurfaces and a rear surface of the second rack cover 624 so as to covera portion of each of the opposite side surfaces and the rear surface ofthe second rack member 620, thereby preventing twisting deformation ofthe second rack member 620.

A stopper exposure hole 624 b may be provided at a front end portion ofthe second rack cover 624, and may be configured to allow a portion ofthe stopper member 671 to be exposed therethrough.

Although the drawer 200 is slantingly inserted, the idle gear 630 isconfigured to support the drawer 200 such that the opposite sides of thedrawer 200 are completely closed.

The idle gear 630 is configured to be engaged with gear teeth of thepinion 410 and to allow the pinion 410 to run idly, and the idle gear630 is provided in at least any one rack gear assembly of the oppositerack gear assemblies 601 and 602.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the idle gear 630 isprovided only in the rack gear assembly 602 (hereinafter referred to asa release type rack gear assembly) positioned at a right side when thedrawer 200 is shown from a lower surface thereof.

The idle gear 630 may also be provided in the rack gear assembly 601(hereinafter referred to as a normal rack gear assembly) positioned at aleft side when the drawer 200 is shown from the lower surface thereof.

When the driving motor 420 (constituting the driving part 400) detectsthe closing of the drawer 200, the drawer 200 can additionally move by apredetermined distance. Accordingly, although the idle gear 630 isprovided at any one side of the drawer 200, the opposite sides of thedrawer 200 are finally closed in parallel.

The rack gear 611 of the first rack member 610 is provided on the normalrack gear assembly, of the opposite rack gear assemblies 601 and 602,provided at a positioning portion of the open/close sensing part 514 tobe continuously formed to the front end of the first rack member 610.The rack gear 611 of the first rack member 610 constituting the releasetype rack gear assembly positioned at a side opposite to the normal rackgear assembly is not formed to the front end and is formed to be shorterthan the rack gear 611 of the normal rack gear assembly, and includesthe idle gear 630 at a front thereof. This may be shown in FIG. 12.

That is, while the drawer 200 is closed, the idle gear 630 is providedat a position at which the idle gear 630 is engaged with the pinion 410.

The idle gear 630 is configured to have at least one gear tooth 631 or632, which is engaged with the gear teeth of the pinion 410 (see FIGS.16, and 22-25).

The idle gear 630 may include two gear teeth 631 and 632, wherein apitch between the two gear teeth 631 and 632 is configured to have thesame pitch P2 as a pitch P1 of the rack gear 611. That is, the idle gear630 is configured to have the same structure as a structure of the rackgear 611 of the first rack member 610 so as to be engaged with thepinion 410.

A distance L defined between a rear gear tooth 631 of the two gear teeth631 and 632 of the idle gear 630 which is positioned to be relativelyclose to the rack gear 611 and the rack gear 611 is configured to belonger than a pitch between each gear tooth (the pitch between each geartooth of the idle gear or the pitch between each gear tooth of the rackgear).

In such a structure, although the release type rack gear assembly (i.e.,the second rack gear assembly 602) at which the idle gear 630 ispositioned advances less (by normally one pitch) than the normal rackgear assembly (i.e., the first rack gear assembly 601) positioned at theopposite side thereof, the gear teeth 631 and 632 of the idle gear 630are engaged with the pinion 410 such that the release type rack gearassembly is pulled by the distance difference. Accordingly, advancingmovement of the release type rack gear assembly is forcibly performedand positioned to be in parallel with the normal rack gear assembly.

When the distance L defined between the gear teeth 631 of the idle gear630 and the rack gear 611 is excessively long, the pinion 410 may not beengaged with the gear teeth 631 and 632 of the idle gear 630.Accordingly, the distance L defined between the gear tooth 631 of theidle gear 630 and the rack gear 611 is at least one pitch (1*P1 or 1*P2)and is most preferably configured to be shorter than a distance of threegear teeth of the rack gear 611 (two pitches) (2*P1) (see FIG. 25). Thatis, at the time at which the rack gear 611 of the first rack member 610passes the pinion 410, the pinion 410 may be preferably engaged with theidle gear 630.

The idle gear 630 may elastically move vertically. Accordingly, when thepinion 410 rotates although the release type rack gear assembly does notmove backward any longer, the idle gear 630 elastically moves upward anddownward such that a rotational force of the pinion 410 is released.That is, the pinion 410 only runs idly and does not transmit power.

For upward and downward movements of the idle gear 630, a first seatingstep 633 is provided at an upper side of the idle gear 630 of the rackmember, and an elastic member 634 (for up and down movement) is providedon opposing surfaces of the first seating step 633 and the idle gear 630therebetween. This may be shown in FIG. 23.

The elastic member 634 for up and down movement may be positioned at aportion existing between the two gear teeth 631 and 632 of an uppersurface of the idle gear 630 or an upper side of the rear gear tooth 631thereof. That is, the elastic member 634 for up and down movement may bepressed at the position, so that during rotation of the pinion 410, theidle gear 630 is prevented from flipping back and forth.

The idle gear 630 may flexibly move forward and backward. Accordingly,although the idle gear 630 is not located at a position spaced apartfrom the rack gear 611 by the same pitch interval as the rack gear 611of the first rack member 610, the idle gear 630 may be accuratelyengaged with the pinion 410 and damage that may be caused by a forcibleengagement of the gear teeth 631 and 632 of the idle gear 630 with thepinion 410 may be prevented.

For forward and backward movements of the idle gear 630, a secondseating step 635 is provided in the first rack member 610 to block afront of the idle gear 630, and an elastic member 636 for back and forthmovement is provided on opposing surfaces of the second seating step 635and the idle gear 630 therebetween.

The first rack member 610 may be provided with a cover body 637 coveringan outer part of the idle gear 630. Various foreign materials may beprevented from entering the idle gear 630 by the cover body 637.Accordingly, malfunction of the idle gear 630, which may be caused byforeign materials, can be prevented.

The idle gear 630 can be prevented from deviating to a side part by thecover body 637.

A support protrusion 638 may be provided on a side wall of the idle gear630, and the support protrusion 638 may be configured to be supported bythe cover body 637 by passing therethrough. This may be shown in FIG.24.

A lower end of each of two gear teeth 631 and 632 constituting the idlegear 630 is preferably configured to be positioned at a side lower thana lower end of the rack gear 611.

Since the idle gear 630 is installed to flexibly move upward anddownward, the idle gear 630 may be located at a position lower than aposition of the rack gear 611, whereby an initial engagement of the idlegear 630 with the pinion 410 can be accurately and stably performed.

The confining protrusion part 650 is a part provided so as to confinethe second rack member 620.

The confining protrusion part 650, an upper surface of which is closedand a lower surface of which is open, is provided at a front of theupper surface (the bottom surface of the inner part of the storagechamber) of the bottom 120 (constituting the cabinet 100).

More particularly, the confining protrusion part 650 is installed in theprotrusion passing hole 513 formed through the cover plate 510. When thecover plate 510 does not exist, the protrusion passing hole 513 isprovided by being depressed in the upper surface (the bottom surface ofthe inner part of the storage chamber) of the bottom 120 of the cabinet100 such that the confining protrusion part 650 is installed therein.

An inner width of the protrusion passing hole 513 is larger than anouter width of the confining protrusion part 650, and an externalexposure of a gap generated due to a width difference between theprotrusion passing hole 513 and the confining protrusion part 650 isblocked by a confining holder 654. This may be shown in FIG. 26.

The confining holder 654 may be combined with the upper surface of thecover plate 510 (or the upper surface of the bottom). A protrusionpassage hole 654 a, through which the confining protrusion part 650passes, is provided at a center portion of the confining holder 654, andthe confining holder 654 may be combined with the cover plate 510 whilean outer surface portion of the confining holder blocks gaps between theprotrusion passing hole 513 and the confining protrusion part 650.

A combination end 656 is provided on an outer surface of the confiningprotrusion part 650 by protruding outward therefrom, andlifting/lowering guides 654 b are provided on a lower surface of theconfining holder 654 by protruding therefrom so as to pass through thecombination end 656 upward and downward. The combination end 656 isprovided on each of opposite sides of the confining protrusion part 650by protruding therefrom, and each of the lifting/lowering guides 654 bis provided on each of opposite sides of the confining holder 654 so asto pass through the combination end 656.

The lifting/lowering guide 654 b may support upward and downwardmovements of the confining protrusion part 650.

The confining protrusion part 650 may be installed to be elasticallyraised in the protrusion passing hole 513 by an elastic member 651.

When the confining protrusion part 650 is pressed, the confiningprotrusion part 650 moves downward into the protrusion passing hole 513,but when the confining protrusion part 650 is not pressed, the confiningprotrusion part 650 moves upward in the protrusion passing hole 513 suchthat a portion of the confining protrusion part is exposed to andprotrudes to the inner part of the lower storage chamber 3.

The elastic member 651 for raising may be made of a coil spring, and aspring engagement protrusion 652 may protrude downward in the confiningprotrusion part 650, wherein an upper end of the elastic member 651 forraising is combined with the spring engagement protrusion 652 in theconfining protrusion part 650 by passing through a lower surface of theconfining protrusion part 650.

The confining protrusion part 650 is positioned behind the pinion 410,but is positioned to be maximally adjacent to the pinion 410.

A slope 653 is provided at a middle of an upper surface of the confiningprotrusion part 650, wherein the slope 653 is gradually inclined upwardtoward a rear of the confining protrusion part 650 from a front thereof.As the locking member 673 (of the confining module 670) moves backwardon the slope 653, the confining protrusion part 650 is configured tomove downward.

The confining module 670 is a portion provided to confine the secondrack member 620 until the first rack member 610 is completely extended.

The confining module 670 is configured to include the stopper member671, the holder 672, and the locking member 673.

The stopper member 671 is provided in the motion groove 622 of thesecond rack member 620 and functions to restrict a backward movement ofthe second rack member 620. A length of the stopper member 671 from afront of the stopper member 671 to a rear thereof is configured to beshorter than a length of the motion groove 622 from a front of themotion groove 622 to a rear thereof. Accordingly, the stopper member 671is installed to move in forward and backward directions in the motiongroove 622.

A confining hook 671 a is provided on a lower surface of the front endof the stopper member 671 by protruding downward therefrom. When thedrawer 200 is moved backward by a predetermined distance, the confininghook 671 a hits the front surface of the confining protrusion part 650such that the stopper member 671 and the first rack member 610 are notmoved backward any longer.

A holder groove 671 b is provided on an upper surface of the front ofthe stopper member 671, and a locking member through hole 671 c isprovided on a rear portion of the stopper member 671 by being verticallyformed therethrough.

The holder groove 671 b may gradually incline downward toward a rearthereof. Accordingly, when the holder 672 received into the holdergroove 671 b moves forward, the holder 672 can efficiently move awayfrom the holder groove 671 b.

The holder 672 is a part to restrict forward and backward movements ofthe stopper member 671.

A lower end of the holder 672 is received into the holder groove 671 bof the stopper member 671, and an upper end of the holder 672 isprovided to pass through the first through hole 622 a of the second rackmember. When the first rack member 610 moves forward by a predetermineddistance and pulls the second rack member 620, the holder 672 isconfigured to escape from the holder groove 671 b while moving forwardtogether with the second rack member 620 and to be received into thefirst receiving groove 614 a of the first rack cover 614.

Each of a front upper edge of the holder 672 and a front lower edgethereof is configured to be inclined. The inclination of the front loweredge of the holder 672 is configured to be the same as inclination ofthe holder groove 671 b. Accordingly, the holder 672 can efficientlyescape from the holder groove 671 b.

Further, the holder 672 may include a cut groove 672 a provided in anupper surface thereof by being cut in forward and backward directions,and an insert protrusion 614 c received into the cut groove 672 a isprovided on a lower surface of the first rack cover 614 facing the uppersurface of the holder 672, wherein the insert protrusion is providedfrom a front end of the first rack cover 614 to an inner part of thefirst receiving groove 614 a. That is, due to a structure of each of thecut groove 672 a and the insert protrusion 614 c, while the first rackmember 610 moves, leftward and rightward movements of the holder 672 areprevented such that the insert protrusion is accurately received intothe first receiving groove 614 a. The cut groove 672 a and the insertprotrusion 614 c may be provided in plural.

The locking member 673 is positioned at a rear of the confiningprotrusion part 650 and held thereby until the first rack member 610 ismoved forward by a predetermined distance, and accordingly may preventforward movement of the second rack member 620.

While the second rack member 620 and the second rack cover 624 movetogether with the first rack member 610 and the first rack cover 614 dueto the forward movement of the first rack member 610 and the first rackcover 614 by the predetermined distance, the locking member 673 movesupward and is received in the second receiving groove 614 b of the firstrack cover 614 positioned to correspond to the upper part thereof.Accordingly, the locking member 673 confined by the confining protrusionpart 650 may be released.

An extending step 673 a is provided at an upper end of the lockingmember 673 by extending to opposite sides thereof, and a lifting guidestep 623 formed to be round (or inclined) is provided at each ofopposite sides of the second through hole 622 b of an upper surface ofthe front end of the second rack member 620 such that the extending step673 a is lifted while the first rack member 610 and the first rack cover614 are moved forward by a predetermined distance and moved togetherwith the second rack member 620 and the second rack cover 624.

When the first rack member 610 and the first rack cover 614 are movedforward by a predetermined distance and moved together with the secondrack member 620 and the second rack cover 624, the lifting guide step623 provided in the second rack member 620 allows the extending step 673a of the locking member 673 to be lifted. Accordingly, the lockingmember 673 moves upward to a height at which the locking member 673 doesnot hit the confining protrusion part 650.

The lifting guide step 623 may be gradually inclined or round upwardtoward a rear thereof. The lifting guide step 623 is preferablyconfigured to gradually incline upward toward a rear of the secondthrough hole 622 b from a middle portion of each of opposite sidesthereof. When the locking member 673 is positioned at the front of thesecond through hole 622 b, the locking member 673 is not influenced bythe lifting guide step 623. However, as the locking member 673 is movedto the rear of the second through hole 622 b by a forward movement ofthe second rack member 620, the locking member 673 is influenced by thelifting guide step 623 and is gradually moved upward.

The extending step 673 a of the locking member 673 may be configured tobe round or inclined as the lifting guide step 623.

A lower surface of the locking member 673 is configured to graduallyincline upward toward a rear thereof. Inclination of the lower surfaceof the locking member 673 is configured to be the same as inclination ofthe slope 653 provided at the middle of the upper surface of theconfining protrusion part 650.

Operation of the refrigerator having a drawer according to an embodimentof the present disclosure may be described referring to FIGS. 27 to 34.

When the drawer 200 is not additionally manipulated, the drawer 200maintains a closed state thereof. This may be shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

In the closed state, when an opening manipulation of the drawer 200 isperformed due to needs of a user, power is supplied to the driving part400 and the driving motor 420 may operate.

The opening manipulation of the drawer 200 is performed by manipulationof a button 6 (a touching or pressing type) or by a control programdetecting proximity of a user.

When the driving motor 420 is operated by the manipulation, the oppositepinions 410 are simultaneously rotated. Accordingly, while the rackgears 611 and 621 of the opposite rack gear assemblies 601 and 602engaged with the opposite pinions 410 are operated, the drawer 200 maybe moved forward.

More particularly, after the first rack member 610 and the first rackcover 614 are moved forward while operating simultaneously, the secondrack member 620 and the second rack cover 624 may be moved forward.

While the first rack member 610 and the first rack cover 614 are movedforward while operating simultaneously, the locking member 673 maintainsa state confined by the confining protrusion part 650. Accordingly, thesecond rack member 620 and the second rack cover 624 maintain initialpositions thereof.

Further, when the first rack member 610 and the first rack cover 614 aremoved forward by a preset first distance and the linkage protrusion 681comes into contact with the linkage step 682, the second rack member 620and the second rack cover 624 also move forward together with the firstrack member 610 from the contact time at which the linkage protrusion681 comes into contact with the linkage step 682. This may be shown inFIGS. 29 and 30.

However, in this example, since the locking member 673 is in the stateconfined by the confining protrusion part 650, the stopper member 671through which the locking member 673 passes maintains an initialposition thereof, but the second rack member 620 moves forward. In thisprocess, as the extending step 673 a of the locking member 673 graduallyclimbs on the lifting guide step 623 provided in the second rack member620, the locking member 673 moves upward and moves away from theconfining protrusion part 650. This may be shown in FIGS. 31 and 32.

While the stopper member 671 moves forward together with the second rackmember 620 with the stopper member 671 being in collision with an innerrear surface of the motion groove 622, the stopper member 671 passes theconfining protrusion part 650.

Subsequently, while the second rack member 620 and the second rack cover624 move following the first rack member 610 and the first rack cover620, the rack gear 621 of the second rack member 620 is engaged with thepinion 410 immediately before the rack gear 611 of the first rack member610 moves away from the pinion 410, and at the same time when the rackgear 611 of the first rack member 610 moves away from the pinion 410 dueto rotation of the pinion 410, only the rack gear 621 of the second rackmember 620 moves by being engaged with the pinion 410 so as to furthermove the drawer 200 forward. This may be shown in FIG. 33.

When movement of the second rack member 620 is completed, the storagebin 220 of the drawer 200 is at a maximum open state. When such amaximum open state of the storage bin 220 is detected (for example,detection by the open/close sensing part), the lift module 300 operatesand moves upward the container 240 in the storage bin 220.

Accordingly, a user can efficiently perform taking out the container 240or items stored in the container 240, or storing items in the container240.

When a closing manipulation of the drawer 200 starts after the use ofthe drawer 200 by a user is completed, the driving motor 420(constituting the driving part 400) operates and the pinion 410 rotatescounterclockwise. Accordingly, the rack gear 621 of the second rackmember 620 engaged with the pinion 410 operates and moves the secondrack member 620 backward.

Since the first rack member 610 is pulled by the second rack member 620due to the linkage part 680, the first rack member 610 moves backwardtogether with the second rack member 620.

When the front end of the rack gear 621 of the second rack member 620 ispositioned to be engaged with the pinion 410, the rear end of the rackgear 611 of the first rack member 610 is also positioned to be engagedwith the pinion 410. Subsequently, the rack gear 621 of the second rackmember 620 moves away from the pinion 410, and only the first rackmember 610 is moved backward by the rack gear 611 thereof.

As described above, immediately before the second rack member 620completely moves backward, the confining hook 671 a of the stoppermember 671 is blocked by the confining protrusion part 650 and does notmove backward any longer. In spite of the stopper member 671, which isblocked, as the second rack member 620 additionally moves by a distanceby which the stopper member 671 is provided to move in the motion groove622, the extending step 673 a of the locking member 673 is removed fromthe lifting guide step 623 and the locking member 673 moves downward.

The second rack member 620 is also prevented from moving furtherbackward by the stopper member 671, and the confining protrusion part650 is positioned between the confining hook 671 a of the stopper member671 and the locking member 673 and confines the second rack member 620.

Accordingly, while only the first rack member 610 is additionally movedbackward, the first rack member 610 is restored to an initial positionthereof (a position at which the storage bin is completely received).When completion of such a restoring movement is detected, operation ofthe driving motor stops and the closing movement of the drawer stops.

When the closing movement of the drawer 200 is performed, the oppositesides of the drawer 200 may be closed obliquely while the left and rightthereof is not in parallel but any one side thereof is located at a moreforward position than the remaining side thereof.

That is, although a rack gear of any one rack gear assembly of theopposite rack gear assemblies 601 and 602 is engaged with the pinion 410by one pitch later than a rack gear of the remaining rack gear assemblydue to carelessness of a user, the drawer 200 advances into the lowerstorage chamber 3 with the left and right of the drawer being not inparallel when the opposite pinions 410 are simultaneously rotated byoperation of the driving motor 420.

In this process, when any one side of the drawer 200 (for example, aside at which the open/close sensing part is positioned) is closedearlier than the remaining side, the open/close sensing part 514 detectsthis, and then an additional operation of the driving motor 420 iscontrolled to be performed.

Since the driving motor 420 is controlled to operate for a predeterminedtime or by a predetermined number of rotation from the time at which theclosing of the drawer 200 is detected, the release type rack gearassembly of the relatively less closed side of the opposite rack gearassemblies 601 and 602 engaged with the opposite pinions 410 is alsoengaged with the pinion 410 to a portion at which the idle gear 630 ispositioned.

The idle gear 630 receives a pulling force by the pinion 410 by adistance (at least one pitch but less than two pitches) from the rackgear 611. Accordingly, the release type rack gear assembly can be moreefficiently moved.

Engagement between the pinion 410 and the idle gear 630 can be stablyand accurately performed by each of the elastic members 634 and 636.

When a side of the drawer 200 (for example, a side opposite to a side atwhich the open/close sensing part is positioned) is closed earlier thanthe remaining side thereof, the opposite pinions 410 continuously rotateuntil the open/close sensing part 514 detects that the remaining side isclosed.

Since the idle gear 630 installed in the release type rack gear assemblyat the side closed earlier is engaged with the pinion 410, the idle gear630 receives a horizontal movement force caused by the rotational forceof the pinion 411 and additionally moves the release type rack gearassembly backward.

Since there is a packing member at a contact surface between the frontpanel 210 of the drawer 200 and the cabinet 100, the side at which therelease type rack gear assembly of the drawer 200 is installed can beadditionally moved backward by a compressive force of the packingmember.

However, when the drawer 200 moves until the packing member reaches amaximum compressed state, the idle gear 630 engaged with the pinion 410is moved upward (see FIG. 34), the engagement of the idle gear 630 withthe pinion 410 is temporarily released, and accordingly, the pinion 410runs idle.

Since the pinion 410 continuously moves the normal rack gear assemblybackward while the pinion 410 at the opposite side thereof is engagedwith the rack gear 611 of the normal rack gear assembly, the unclosedside of the drawer is closed later.

When the closing of the drawer is detected, the driving motor 420 iscontrolled to additionally operate for a predetermined time or by apredetermined number of rotations from the detected time, and thenstops.

Although any one side of the drawer 200 is closed earlier, the oppositesides of the drawer 200 are completely closed by the additionaloperation of the driving motor 420 and the idle gear 630.

The refrigerator having a drawer of the present disclosure is notlimited only to the above-described structure.

That is, the rack gear assemblies 601 and 602 may be configured to haveonly the first rack member 610. Even in this example, the idle gear 630is provided on a front of the rack gear 611 of the first rack member610, and the structure of the installed idle gear 630 may perform theforward/backward and upward/downward flexible movements as describedabove.

The rack gear assemblies 601 and 602 may be provided to include at leastthree rack members. In this example, the idle gear 630 is installed on afront of the rack gear 611 of the rack member 610 positioned at aforemost side of each of the rack members relative to an openingdirection of the drawer 200, and the structure of the installed idlegear 630 may move the same forward/backward and upward/downward flexiblemovements as described above.

The idle gear 630 may be implemented in various forms.

As described above, the refrigerator may provide the rack gear assembly601 having the idle gear 630 which the gear teeth of the pinion 410 areengaged with and allows the pinion 410 to run idly. Accordingly,although the drawer 200 advances without the opposite sides thereofbeing in parallel, and the drawer 200 can be completely closed.

According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, after thedriving motor 420 of the driving part 400 additionally operates from thetime at which the closed state of the drawer 200 is detected, thedriving motor 420 stops the operation thereof. Accordingly, although thedrawer 200 advances without the opposite sides thereof being inparallel, the drawer 200 can be completely closed.

Further, since the open/close sensing part 514, which detects theopening and closing of the drawer 200, is further provided on each ofthe opposing surfaces of the drawer 200 and the cabinet 100, operationcontrol of the driving motor 420 can be accurately performed.

The open/close sensing part 514 may include the open/close sensor 514 aand the open/close sensing member 514 b, wherein the open/close sensor514 a and the open/close sensing member 514 b are installed at opposingportions of the inner part of the storage chamber 3 and the drawer 200therebetween. Accordingly, the opening and closing of the drawer 200 canbe accurately detected.

According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, since theopen/close sensor 514 a is provided at the bottom surface of the innerpart of the storage chamber 3 and the open/close sensing member 514 b isprovided on the lower surface of the storage bin 220 (constituting thedrawer 200), the installation and maintenance thereof may become easy.

According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, since theopen/close sensor 514 a is provided as the Hall sensor and theopen/close sensing member 514 b is provided as the magnet, the openingand closing of the drawer 200 can be accurately detected.

According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, since the rackgear 611 operates to additionally move by at least one pitch from thetime at which the closing of the drawer 200 is detected, the drawer 200can be accurately closed.

According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, since thepinion 410 is provided to rotate only twice or less from the time atwhich the closing of the drawer 200 is detected, the pinion 410 or therack gear 611 can be prevented from being damaged.

According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, the idle gear630 is provided at least one rack gear assembly of each of the rack gearassemblies 601 and 602. Accordingly, although the side at which the rackgear assembly 602 of the drawer 200 is positioned is closed earlier, therack gear 611 and the pinion 410 of the side closed earlier can beprevented from being damaged.

According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, since the idlegear 630 is positioned in front of the rack gear 611 provided on thefirst rack member 610, the idle gear 630 is engaged with the pinion 410only when the drawer 200 is closed.

According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, since the idlegear 630 is provided to have at least one gear tooth 631 or 632, theidle gear 630 can be engaged with the pinion 410.

According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, when the idlegear 630 is configured to have the two gear teeth 631 and 632 and thesame pitch as the pitch of the rack gear 611, the engagement of the idlegear 630 with the pinion 410 can be accurately performed.

According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, although thedistance L defined between the idle gear 630 and the rack gear 611 islonger than the pitch P1 of the rack gear 611, the idle gear 630 canreceive the pulling force by the pinion 410. Accordingly, a furtherefficient forcible movement can be performed.

According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, since thedistance L defined between the idle gear 630 and the rack gear 611 isconfigured to be shorter than a distance of the three gear teeth of therack gear 611, the engagement of the idle gear 630 with the pinion 410can be accurately performed.

According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, a lower end ofeach of the two gear teeth 631 and 632 of the idle gear 630 isconfigured to be positioned lower than the lower end of the rack gear611, the engagement of the idle gear 630 with the pinion 410 can beaccurately performed.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, since the idle gear 630is provided to flexibly move upward and downward, the engagement of theidle gear 630 with the pinion 410 can be released while the drawer 200is closed. Accordingly, the opposite sides of the drawer 200 can becompletely closed in parallel.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, since the idle gear 630is provided to flexibly move forward and backward, the engagement of theidle gear 630 with the pinion 410 can be further stably performed andreceive further efficiently the pulling force by the pinion 410.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, since the idle gear 630is provided to be flexibly moved upward and downward by the elasticmember 634 for up and down movement, the engagement of the idle gear 630with the pinion 410 can be efficiently released or can be efficientlyperformed.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, since the elastic member634 for up and down movement is positioned at a position existingbetween the two gear teeth 631 and 632 of the upper surface of the idlegear 630 or at the upper side of the gear tooth relatively close to therack gear 611, operation malfunction such as flipping of the idle gear630 can be prevented.

In the refrigerator of the present disclosure, since the idle gear 630is provided to be flexibly moved forward and backward by the elasticmember 636 for back and forth movement, the forward and backwardmovements of the idle gear 630 can be further efficiently performed.

According to the refrigerator of the present disclosure, since the firstrack member 610 is further provided with the cover body 637 covering anouter part of the idle gear 630, malfunction of the idle gear due todamage of the idle gear or introduction of foreign materials thereintocan be prevented.

FIG. 35 is a front exploded perspective view of a storage bin accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 36 is a rearexploded perspective view illustrating configuration of a storage binaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 37 isa sectional view illustrating configuration of a storage bin accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

The storage bin 220 is configured to have a shape of a box having anopen upper side, and is attached to the rear of the front panel 210. Thestorage bin 220 is fixed to the front panel 210 and includes a spaceinto which food or the container 240 is received.

A cover 250 is provided at each of opposite sides of the storage bin220. The side cover 250 may be made of a metal material such asstainless steel, may be provided at each of the opposite sides of thestorage bin 220, and may constitute an outer surface of the storage bin220.

An inner part of the storage bin 220 may be divided into a front spaceS1 and a rear space S2. The lift module 300 and the container 240 may bereceived in an inner part of the front space, and while lifting andlowering in upward and downward directions, the lift module 300 allowsfood or the container 240 seated on the lift module 300 to lift andlower therewith.

The lift module 300 may be provided under the container 240, and whenthe container 240 is mounted on the lift module 300, the lift module 300may be covered by the container 240. Accordingly, any configuration ofthe lift module 300 is not exposed to an outside.

The rear space S2 is provided with an additional drawer cover 252. Thefront space S1 and the rear space S2 are partitioned by the drawer cover252. In an example in which the drawer cover 252 is mounted, a space inwhich a front surface and an upper surface of the rear space S2 arecovered not to be used is not exposed to the outside.

Due to mounting of the drawer cover 252, the rear space S2 is coveredwhen the front panel 210 is moved forward, and in the state in which thefront panel 210 is moved forward, only the front space S1 is exposed tothe outside, whereby a cleaner appearance can be provided.

A remaining space (except for a space to which the lift module 300 andthe container 240 are mounted) is covered to prevent such problems asfood dropping or items being stuck in gaps during lifting or lowering.

A deodorizing member 260 may be provided in the storage bin 220 (or atthe storage bin). The deodorizing member 260 may be made of materialsincluding odor absorbing substances (such as activated carbon orcharcoal). The deodorizing member 260 may be made of various odorabsorbing materials, other than the materials described above. In atleast one example, a material such as activated carbon or charcoal isapplied. The deodorizing member 260 may also be called a deodorizer.

The deodorizing member 260 may have a block shape, and may include aplurality of through holes 262 provided at a front surface thereof. Thedeodorizing member 260 is provided in the inner part and an outer partof the storage bin 220, and may function to remove or reduce odor fromthe storage bin and cool air circulating flow path by absorbing odormolecules remaining therein.

FIG. 38 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an upper end partof a deodorizing case according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 39 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a stateof a deodorizing member mounted to the upper end part of the deodorizingcase according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.40 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a lower end part of thedeodorizing case according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 41 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a statein which the deodorizing member is mounted in an inner part of the lowerend part of the deodorizing case according to an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 42 is a sectional view illustratingconfiguration of the deodorizing case according to an example embodimentof the present disclosure. FIG. 43 is a sectional view of a state inwhich the deodorizing member is mounted in an inner part of thedeodorizing case according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 44 is a sectional view illustrating cool aircirculation course of the cool air circulating flow path according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure. Other embodiments andconfigurations may also be provided.

The deodorizing case 264 may be provided on a rear surface (relative tothe inner surface) of the storage bin 220. Since the deodorizing case264 is configured to have a shape of a box having an open upper side, adeodorizing member installation space 266 (or inner space) may beprovided in the deodorizing case. The deodorizing member 260 may beinserted into the deodorizing member installation space 266, and mayremove or reduce odors from the storage bin and the cool air circulatingflow path. The deodorizing case 264 may also be called a holder or adeodorizing holder.

Although the deodorizing case 264 may be manufactured independently ofthe storage bin 220 and assembled therewith, the deodorizing case 264and the storage bin 220 may be provided as a single body by injectionmolding. The deodorizing case (or holder) may be integrally providedwith the storage bin.

Configuration of the deodorizing case 264 may be described in detail.

The deodorizing case 264 (or holder) may include the upper end part 268(or upper end) of the deodorizing case, and the lower end part 278 (orlower end) of the deodorizing case. The upper end part 268 includes afront wall 270 having a shape of a plate with a predetermined thicknessand provided by protruding a predetermined length or more from side toside along an inner surface of the storage bin 220, and an upper sidesurface wall 272 provided at each of opposite sides of the front wall270 may protrude to the inner surface of the storage bin 220 so as tocover the opposite sides of the front wall 270.

As shown in FIG. 38, the front wall 270 is provided at an upper side ofa rear surface of the storage bin 220 by vertically protruding therefrom(relative to an inner surface thereof). The front wall 270 may be longfrom left to right along the inner surface of the storage bin 220.Accordingly, functions to support an upper front surface of thedeodorizing member 260 when the deodorizing member 260 is mounted.

The upper side surface wall 272 may be provided at each of oppositesides of the front wall 270. The upper side surface wall 272 may be awall having a predetermined thickness and extends to the inner surfaceof the storage bin 220 from each of opposite ends of the front wall 270.Since the upper side surface wall 272 is provided at each of theopposite sides of the front wall 270, the upper side surface wall 272may support the upper side surface of the deodorizing member 260inserted into the deodorizing member installation space 266 (or theinner space).

A deodorizing member check part 276 (or opening part) may be provided ata front surface of the front wall 270. The deodorizing member check part276 is configured to be depressed by a predetermined depth in a downwarddirection along an upper end part of the front wall 270. The deodorizingmember check part 276 is configured to be formed through the front wall270 from a front thereof to a rear thereof. Accordingly, when thedeodorizing member is inserted into the deodorizing member installationspace 262, a user can check whether the deodorizing member 260 isinstalled by naked eye.

As a portion of the front surface of the front wall 270 is open due tothe deodorizing member check part 276 (or opening part), an upperportion of the deodorizing member 260 may be exposed to the innersurface of the storage bin 220.

A portion of the deodorizing member 260 may be exposed to the innersurface of the storage bin 220, whereby the deodorizing member 260 maydirectly contact with cool air of the storage bin. Accordingly, odorremoval performance of the storage bin may be improved.

The lower end part 278 (or lower end) of the deodorizing case 264 (orholder) may be provided on an outer rear surface of the storage bin 220.

The lower end part 278 may be provided on the outer rear surface(relative to an outer surface of the draw part) of the storage bin 220by protruding therefrom. The lower end part 278 may extend from a lowerpart of the upper end part 268 and define the deodorizing memberinstallation space 266 (or inner space) in cooperation with the upperend part 268.

The lower end part 278 may have a shape of a plate having apredetermined thickness and includes: the rear wall 280 provided byprotruding a predetermined length or more from left to right along theouter surface of the storage bin 220; first and second lower sidesurface walls 282 provided at opposite sides of the rear wall 280 byprotruding to the outer surface of the storage bin 220 so as to coverthe opposite sides of the rear wall 280; an extended wall 284 providedat a front of the rear wall 280 to be long from left to right along theouter surface of the storage bin 220 by protruding therefrom so as tocover the front of the rear wall 280; and a bottom wall 286 provided ata lower end part of each of the rear wall 280 and the lower side surfacewalls 282 so as to support a lower surface of the deodorizing member260.

As shown in FIG. 40, the rear wall 280 may be vertically provided at arear upper side (relative to an outer surface thereof) of the storagebin 220 by protruding therefrom. The rear wall 280 may be long from leftand right along the outer surface of the storage bin 220 and may supporta rear surface of the deodorizing member 260.

The lower side surface wall 282 may be provided at each of the oppositesides of the rear wall 280. The lower side surface wall 282 isconfigured to be a wall having a predetermined thickness and extendsfrom each of opposite ends of the front wall 270 toward the outersurface of the storage bin 220. The lower side surface wall 282 isprovided at each of the opposite sides of the rear wall 280 to supportthe lower surface of the deodorizing member 260 inserted into thedeodorizing member installation space 266 (or inner space).

The extended wall 284 may be provided on a front surface of each of thelower side surface walls 282. The extended wall 284 may be a wall andmay be long from left to right, wherein each of opposite ends of theextended wall 284 is fixed to the front surface of each of the lowerside surface walls 282, which are separate from each other.

The extended wall 284 may be positioned on the front surface of thelower side surface walls 282. Accordingly, when the deodorizing member260 is inserted into the deodorizing member installation space 266 (orinner space), the extended wall 284 supports a lower front surface ofthe deodorizing member 260.

The bottom wall 286 may be provided at lower ends of the rear wall 280and the lower side surface walls 282. The bottom wall 286 may be a platehaving a predetermined thickness and may be long from left to right, andthus cover a lower end part of the deodorizing member installation space266.

The upper surface of the bottom wall 286 is a portion on which thedeodorizing member 260 sits to be supported.

A cool air circulation part 288 (or cool air circulation opening) isprovided on a rear surface of the rear wall 280. The cool aircirculation part 288 may be recessed by a predetermined depth in anupward direction along a lower end part of the rear wall 280. The coolair circulation part 288 is formed through the rear wall 280 in forwardand backward directions thereof and thus function to allow a portion ofthe deodorizing member 260 mounted to the deodorizing case 264 (orholder) to communicate with the cool air circulating flow path F.

Accordingly, a portion of the lower end part 278 (or lower end)positioned at a side of the cool air circulating flow path F isconfigured to be open. Accordingly, cool air of the cool air circulatingflow path F and the deodorizing member 260 may directly contact eachother, and thus odor removal performance of the deodorizing member 260may be improved.

The cool air circulation part 288 (or cool air circulation opening) maybe provided on a rear surface of the deodorizing case 264 (or holder),and thus the inner surface of the storage bin 220 and the cool aircirculating flow path F communicate with each other. Accordingly, odormolecules may be removed by passing through the deodorizing member 260,so that the odor removal performance of the deodorizing member 260 isimproved.

An anti-deviation member 290 (or anti-movement device) may be providedat an upper side of the deodorizing case 264. The anti-deviation member290 may move rearward by being elastically deformed when the deodorizingmember 260 is installed in the inner part of the deodorizing case 264.When installation of the deodorizing member 260 is completed in theinner part of the deodorizing case 264, the anti-deviation member 290may move forward and the deodorizing member 260 may be prevented frommoving upward.

Configuration of the anti-deviation member 290 may be described indetail.

The anti-deviation member 290 may be vertically provided at an upperpart of the rear wall 280 by protruding therefrom, and may include anelastic piece 292 installed behind the deodorizing member 260 and ananti-deviation protrusion 296 (or anti-movement protrusion) provided ona front surface of the elastic piece 292 by protruding therefrom toprevent deviation (or movement) of the deodorizing member 260.

The elastic piece 292 may be provided at an upper side of the rear wall280. The elastic piece 292 may have a plate shape and may be verticallylong at the upper side of the rear wall 280.

A cut part 294 may be provided at each of opposite sides of the elasticpiece 292. The cut part 294 may be provided at each of the oppositesides of the elastic piece 292 by being formed therethrough to have alongitudinal hole shape. The cut part 294 may function to separate therear wall 280 from the elastic piece 292 such that the elastic piece 292is elastically deformed in forward and backward directions.

The anti-deviation protrusion 296 may be provided on the front surfaceof the elastic piece 292. The anti-deviation protrusion 296 may have acircular arc shape in section, and may be long from left to right on thefront surface of the elastic piece 292. The anti-deviation protrusion296 may be provided at the upper side of the deodorizing case 264 (orholder) by protruding forward therefrom, thereby preventing thedeodorizing member 260 from moving upward.

Frictional protrusions 297 may be provided on a front surface of theanti-deviation protrusion 296. Each of the frictional protrusions 297 isprovided on the front surface of the anti-deviation protrusion 296 byprotruding therefrom to be long from left and to right. Since thefrictional protrusion 297 includes a plurality of frictional protrusionsprovided on the front surface of the anti-deviation protrusion 296 byprotruding therefrom, the frictional protrusions 297 contact with therear surface of the deodorizing member 260 when the deodorizing member260 deviates (or moves) upward.

Since the frictional protrusions 297 are in contact with the rearsurface of the deodorizing member 260, the frictional protrusions 297function to additionally prevent the deodorizing member 260 fromdeviating (or moving) upward.

A deodorizing member support piece 298 (or support part) may be providedat a lower part of the anti-deviation protrusion 296. The deodorizingmember support piece 298 may protrude from the anti-deviation protrusion296 in a downward direction thereof, and may support the rear surface ofthe deodorizing member 260.

A movement in which the deodorizing member 260 is inserted into orwithdrawn from the deodorizing case 264 according to the exampleembodiment may be described in detail.

In the process in which the deodorizing member 260 is inserted into thedeodorizing case 264, while a user grasps the deodorizing member 260,the user inserts the deodorizing member 260 into the deodorizing memberinstallation space 266 through an upper open part of the deodorizingcase 264.

In the process in which the deodorizing member 260 is inserted into thedeodorizing member installation space 266, the anti-deviation member 290positioned at the upper side of the deodorizing case 264 may beelastically deformed backward by a pressing force of the deodorizingmember 260.

When the deodorizing member 260 is completely inserted into thedeodorizing case 264, the deodorizing member 260 is mounted to the innersurface of the storage bin 220 while a portion of the deodorizing member260 is exposed to the upper end part of the deodorizing case 264 asshown in FIG. 39.

When the mounting of the deodorizing member 260 to the deodorizing case264 is completed, the anti-deviation member 290 may be restored to aninitial position thereof, and the anti-deviation protrusion 296 of theanti-deviation member 290 may be positioned at the upper side of thedeodorizing case 264.

Accordingly, as the anti-deviation member 290 protrudes at the upperside of the deodorizing case 264, the deodorizing member 260 may beprevented from deviating (or moving) to the outside of the deodorizingcase 264.

To wash and replace the deodorizing member 260, the deodorizing member260 may be required to be withdrawn from the deodorizing case 264.

A process of withdrawing of the deodorizing member 260 may be performedcontrarily to the process of inserting of the deodorizing member 260.Accordingly, a detailed description may be omitted.

Accordingly, as the box-shaped deodorizing case 264 (or holder) havingan open upper side is provided at the upper side of the inner surface ofthe storage bin 220, the inserting and withdrawing of the deodorizingmember 260 may be performed by manipulation of a user.

The deodorizing case 264 may be divided into the upper end part 268 andthe lower end part, wherein the upper end part 268 is provided at aninner side of the storage bin 220, and the lower end part 278 isprovided at the side of the cool air circulating flow path F.Accordingly, the deodorizing member installation space 266 may beminimized and thus the storage bin utilization may be improved.

Accordingly, example embodiments may have been made keeping in mind theproblems occurring in related art, and the present disclosure isintended to provide a refrigerator having a drawer, wherein an upper endpart of a deodorizing case in which a deodorizing member is installed isprovided on an inner surface of a storage bin of the drawer, and a lowerend part of the deodorizing case is provided in cool air circulatingflow path. Accordingly, a deodorizing member installation spaceoccupying the storage bin of the drawer may be minimized, and thedeodorizing member may be positioned in the cool air circulating flowpath, whereby deodorizing performance is improved.

Example embodiments may provide a refrigerator having a drawer, whereinthe deodorizing member is configured to be easily inserted into andwithdrawn from an upper open part of the deodorizing case. Accordingly,the deodorizing member is easily exchanged with a new one.

Example embodiments may provide a refrigerator having a drawer, whereinan anti-deviation member is provided on the upper side of thedeodorizing case. Accordingly, the deodorizing member mounted in thedeodorizing case may be prevented from deviating to outside by such asimple structure.

The present disclosure may provide a refrigerator having a drawer,wherein a deodorizing member check part and a cool air circulation partare provided at an upper end part and a lower end part of thedeodorizing member, respectively, so that the cool air inside thestorage bin and the cool air inside the cool air circulating flow pathdirectly contact with the deodorizing member.

In a refrigerator having a drawer of the present disclosure, an upperend part of a deodorizing case (or holder), in which a deodorizingmember is installed, and a lower end part of the deodorizing case areprovided on an inner surface of a storage bin of the drawer and in acool air circulating flow path, respectively. Accordingly, a deodorizingmember installation space occupying the storage bin may be minimized.

In the refrigerator having a drawer of the present disclosure, the lowerend part of the deodorizing case may be provided in the cool aircirculating flow path. Accordingly, in a process of circulating coolair, odor removal may be performed.

The refrigerator having a drawer of the present disclosure may include aportion of the deodorizing member positioned at the upper end part ofthe deodorizing case may be exposed to an inner part of the storage bin.Accordingly, cool air of the storage bin may be in direct contact withthe deodorizing member.

According to the refrigerator having a drawer of the present disclosure,there may be provided the box-shaped deodorizing case having an openupper side. Accordingly, such a structure may allow the deodorizingmember to be inserted and pulled out.

In the refrigerator having a drawer of the present disclosure, the upperend part may include a front wall and upper side surface walls such thatthe upper side of the deodorizing member is firmly supported.

According to the refrigerator having a drawer of the present disclosure,a deodorizing member check part (or opening part) may be provided in thefront wall. Accordingly, an upper end of the deodorizing member may beexposed to the inner part of the storage bin.

In the refrigerator having a drawer of the present disclosure, the lowerend part may include a rear wall, lower side surface walls, an extendedwall, and a bottom wall such that a lower side of the deodorizing memberis firmly supported.

According to the refrigerator having a drawer of the present disclosure,cool air circulation part may be provided at the rear wall. Accordingly,a lower end of the deodorizing member may be exposed to the cool aircirculating flow path.

According to the refrigerator having a drawer of the present disclosure,an anti-deviation member (or anti-movement member) may be provided at anupper side of the deodorizing case. Accordingly, the deodorizing memberheld in the deodorizing case (or holder) may be prevented from beingdetached upward.

According to the refrigerator having a drawer of the present disclosure,the anti-deviation member may include an elastic piece and ananti-deviation protrusion. (or anti-movement protrusion) Accordingly,the deodorizing member may be prevented from being removed due to such aconfiguration.

According to the refrigerator having a drawer of the present disclosure,the elastic piece may be provided on the rear wall to be elasticallydeformed. Accordingly, when the deodorizing member is inserted into thedeodorizing case, the anti-deviation protrusion may move backward.

According to the refrigerator having a drawer of the present disclosure,a cut part may be provided at each of opposite sides of the elasticpiece, and the elastic piece may be provided between the opposite cutparts by protruding downward so as to be elastically deformed in forwardand backward directions.

As described above, according to the refrigerator having a drawer of thepresent disclosure, the deodorizing member installation space (or innerspace) is divided into an inner surface of the storage bin and the coolair circulating flow path. Accordingly, the deodorizing memberinstallation space is minimized and a space utilization of the storagebin is improved.

Since the lower end part of the deodorizing case is positioned in thecool air circulating flow path, odor can be additionally removed in theprocess of circulating cool air. Accordingly, deodorizing performance ofthe refrigerator is improved.

Further, since the deodorizing member check part is provided on theupper end part of the deodorizing case, a user can easily check whetherthe deodorizing member is mounted by naked eye. Further, since the upperside of the deodorizing member is provided to be open, deodorizing timeof the storage bin decreases.

The present disclosure is intended to cover not only the exemplaryembodiment, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalentsand other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can bedirectly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers.In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on”another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layerspresent. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These termsare only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the present disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may beused herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of oneelement or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated inthe figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in use oroperation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Forexample, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements describedas “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented“upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Thedevice may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used hereininterpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference tocross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure.As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result,for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed aslimited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but areto include deviations in shapes that result, for example, frommanufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances ofsuch phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection withany embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of oneskilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

This application is also related to U.S. application Ser. No. ______filed (Attorney Docket No. NIP-0003), U.S. application Ser. No. ______filed (Attorney Docket No. NIP-0004), U.S. application Ser. No. ______filed Sep. 25, 2019 (Attorney Docket No. NIP-0005), U.S. applicationSer. No. ______ filed (Attorney Docket No. NIP-0007), U.S. applicationSer. No. ______ filed (Attorney Docket No. NIP-0008), U.S. applicationSer. No. ______ filed (Attorney Docket No. NIP-0009), U.S. applicationSer. No. ______ filed Sep. 25, 2019 (Attorney Docket No. NIP-0010), U.S.application Ser. No. ______ filed Sep. 25, 2019 (Attorney Docket No.NIP-0011), U.S. application Ser. No. ______ filed Sep. 25, 2019(Attorney Docket No. NIP-0012), U.S. application Ser. No. ______ filed(Attorney Docket No. NIP-0013), U.S. application Ser. No. ______ filed(Attorney Docket No. NIP-0014), and U.S. application Ser. No. ______filed (Attorney Docket No. NIP-0015), whose entire disclosures are alsohereby incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet having anopening to access a storage chamber provided within the cabinet; adrawer including a front panel and a storage bin coupled to a rear ofthe front panel, the drawer being coupled to the cabinet such that thedrawer moves between a first position in which the front panel closesthe opening of the cabinet and the storage bin is received in thestorage chamber, and a second position in which the front panel isspaced away from the opening of the cabinet and at least a portion ofthe storage bin is positioned outside of the storage chamber; a holderat the storage bin, the holder having an upper end at an inner surfaceof the storage bin, and having a lower end at an outer surface of thestorage bin; and a deodorizing member to be provided in an inner spaceof the holder to reduce an odor from the storage chamber.
 2. Therefrigerator of claim 1, wherein the lower end of the holder is providedin a cool air circulating flow path.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 1,wherein a portion of the deodorizing member is exposed through the upperend of the holder to an inner part of the storage bin.
 4. Therefrigerator of claim 2, wherein a portion of the deodorizing member isexposed through the lower end of the holder to the cool air circulatingflow path.
 5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the holder isintegrally provided with the storage bin.
 6. The refrigerator of claim1, wherein the holder is to have at least an open upper side and aninner space, and the deodorizing member is to be inserted through theopen upper side of the holder and into the inner space of the holder.The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the upper end of the holderincludes: a front wall to protrude from the inner surface of the storagebin; and first and second upper side walls provided at opposite sides ofthe front wall by protruding therefrom to the inner surface of thestorage bin.
 8. The refrigerator of claim 7, further comprising: anopening part provided at the front wall by a portion of the front wallto be open to the inner surface of the storage bin.
 9. The refrigeratorof claim 1, wherein the lower end of the holder includes: a rear wallprovided along the outer surface of the storage bin; first and secondlower side walls provided at opposite sides of the rear wall byprotruding from the outer surface of the storage bin; an extended wallprovided at the rear wall; and a bottom wall provided at a lower end ofthe rear wall and lower ends of the lower side walls to support thedeodorizing member.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 9, further comprising:a cool air circulation opening provided on the rear surface of the rearwall to allow a portion of the rear wall to be open to a cool aircirculating flow path.
 11. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein thecool air circulation opening is to communicate with an inner part of thestorage bin.
 12. The refrigerator of claim 9, further comprising: ananti-movement device provided at an upper side of the holder, whereinwhen the deodorizing member is provided in the holder, the anti-movementdevice is to protrudes to the holder so as to prevent the deodorizingmember from moving upward.
 13. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein theanti-movement device is integrally provided with the rear wall.
 14. Therefrigerator of claim 12, wherein the anti-movement device includes: anelastic piece to protrude from the rear wall and to be provided behindthe deodorizing member; an anti-movement protrusion provided at theelastic piece by protruding therefrom to prevent movement of thedeodorizing member.
 15. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein theelastic piece is provided on the rear wall to be elastically deformed.16. The refrigerator of claim 14, further comprising: first and secondcut parts provided at opposite sides of the elastic piece.
 17. Therefrigerator of claim 14, further comprising: a support part to protrudein a downward direction from a lower part of the anti-movementprotrusion to support a rear surface of the deodorizing member when thedeodorizing member is provided in the holder.
 18. The refrigerator ofclaim 14, further comprising: a plurality of frictional protrusionsprovided on the anti-movement protrusion by protruding a predeterminedlength or more therefrom from left to right.
 19. The refrigerator ofclaim 1, wherein the deodorizing member is to reduce the odor from thestorage chamber by absorbing odor molecules.
 20. The refrigerator ofclaim 1, wherein the deodorizing member includes a plurality of throughholes provided on a front surface of the deodorizing member.